Page News & Courier
Heritage and Heraldry
A 'clasping of hands' - the 1881 Luray reunion
Article of May 3, 2001
Not all Civil War reunions in Luray were limited to local Confederate veterans. In a meeting in Carlisle, Pa. on June 7, 1881, the Captain Colwell Post No. 201 of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) made preparations for an excursion to the awe-inspiring Luray Cave. But more importantly, Union veterans felt an ideal opportunity to "have a general hand-shaking and expression of good feeling" with former foe.
An article was placed in the Page Courier and Virginia Advertiser that stated: "It has been sixteen years of peace and national prosperity has been fully long enough to cure all the heart-burns and bitterness engendered by the unholy and unnatural strife."
Though the proclamation was highly optimistic on the part of the Union veterans, within 12 days of sending invitations for a reunion to "prominent men of Page County," a warm and friendly response was returned by local Confederate veterans.
When the G.A.R. Camp arrived in Luray at the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Depot on July 21 (the 20th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas), Confederate veterans were drawn up in military form in two files, with an evergreen arch on their right bearing the inscription: "In Union there is Strength."
The G.A.R. Post then took position about 12 paces in a line facing the Confederate veterans. Between the two lines of ex-foes was planted a United States flag. With an opening address by Mayor H.J. Smoot, the reunion was officially opened.
Addresses by veterans Captain Francis H. Jordan, Jr. (Co. D, 7th Virginia Cavalry and Gen. Thomas Jordan's staff) and Andrew Broaddus (Co. C, 39th Battalion Virginia Cavalry) followed. Near the end of his speech, Broaddus emphasized the meaning of the evergreen arch and bore-up proudly in the remembrance of service by the Confederate veterans: "Cowards bear malice - it is the part of the brave to forgive, and he, who deaf to his country's call, refused to bear his breast to the leaden storm of bullets, is the last to smoke the calumet of peace."
The playing of the Star Spangled Banner followed and introduced speeches by Judge R.M. Henderson and Captain W.E. Miller (Co. H, 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry). With words of fraternal reunion" completed, and amid a roar of cheers, the two lines of men stepped forward and "clasped each other by the hands." The Carlisle Herald and Mirror reported: "During this part of the exercises many eyes were dim with tears of joy mingled with tears of sadness at the recollection of the dark days of war."
The procession of men and guests then moved onto the large dining hall of the Luray Cave and Hotel Company, "where a fine collation was served." The dinner cards upon the tables bore devices of clasped hands, with the word "Re-Union," and under this "Pennsylvania, July 21, 1881, Virginia."
When it came time to board the train again, "many were the regrets when the engineer whistled 'up brakes,' and all felt they must leave. "Cheer after cheer went up as the train moved off from the station."
With such a warm reception received in Luray, the Union veterans agreed to invite the Page County Confederate veterans to Carlisle for a reunion on Sept. 28. "The citizens (of Carlisle) promptly furnished the money for the needed expenses." More than 200 veterans made the train ride with their families from Luray for a similar round of speeches and hospitality.
Return to the Page News & Courier sponsored directory for
Heritage & Heraldry articles.